Sunday, December 26, 2010

Aline Smithson, founder and editor of Lenscratch, asked me to submit my favorite image that I photographed this year for the end of year Lenscratch. I've been working for years on a documentary concerning environmental injustice. On April 20th the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion kills 11 men resulting in the BP Oil Spill, which is proving to be the largest man made environmental disaster the country has ever seen.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Take a look at my new Trailer "Against All Odds: How the Gulf Coast Survives the BP Oil Geyser" that will be a part of Dying For Profit eventually.

You can help make sure this project gets completed by becoming a sponsor. Sponsorship information is in the previous blog post click here. You can make tax deductible donations via Blue Earth Alliance, earmarking Dying for Profit.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

With Fruit of the Orchard | Environmental Justice in East Texas successfully published as a book, and knowing in my heart that Winona's environmental injustice problems are not limited to Winona, I decided to expand the project to to include and other communities in East Texas and the Gulf Coast. The working title is Dying For Profit.

For more than a decade I documented the effects of environmental pollution on a rural East Texas town. The project takes place in Winona; a tight knit community of 500 people living downwind of a toxic-waste injection-well facility built in 1982.

The children of Winona suffered from birth defects, rare tumors, skin disorders, and cancers that many believe are effects from the pollution. Community action, and my documentation led to the facility's closure in 1997.

What began as a pro-bono photography assignment changed my life and that is why I feel I must continue photographing other affected communities across East Texas and the entire Gulf Coast region until true environmental justice is achieved.

The Federal Environmental Protection Agency states that Environmental Justice is the entitlement of all people to a clean and healthy environment where they live, work, and play. With that stated, the government still overlooks areas of the United States that are populated with mainly lower-income minorities that live with toxins penetrating their homes daily.

Now with the largest environmental disaster in our nation’s history still unfolding and the egregious efforts of BP obfuscating the truth all the while covering up what is really happening, the Gulf must be a part of Dying For Profit. In the beginning all cameras were on the Gulf and what was happening to the people and their environment. Now with the well capped, the cameras have gone. The people feel abandoned. The people in the communities are experiencing first hand the effects of toxic exposure from the oil and the corexit that reports say “someone” continues to spray.

In this project, I bring you up to date on the people of Winona, in their own voice, tell you how their lives have changed after the facility shut down over 10 years ago. De Berry, Texas, an African American, former slave community, struggles with no clean water for domestic use. Their well water was contaminated by a salt water injection well by an oil company. Yet, the regulatory agencies can’t seem to agree on which agency is to handle the problem. After five long years Reverend Hudson finally gets his water line laid by the EPA. Hudson is still on the offensive trying to ward off new gas wells from coming close to his community. Houston’s Ship Channel neighborhoods experience air quality issues and more.

Three of my subjects, from three different communities died with in a 6 week period in 2009 and two had brain tumors. It was then that the title Dying for Profit emerged. They were: Jimmy Laird, 53, of Rivercrest, TX, ended his battle with brain tumors on February 5, 2009. He donated his organs to science for examination. His family sprinkled his cremated remains over his beloved river. He lived downriver from a paper mill that dumped it's waste into the river for over 50 years. RL Glazer, formerly of Winona, Texas, husband and strong supporter of Phyllis Glazer, died February 25, 2009. RL had a brain tumor. Their team of world class neurologists had never experienced a couple both having brain tumors. Phyllis told the doctors, “we both lived in Winona.” I documented RL's Orthodox Jewish burial on February 27, 2009. Charles Brown of De Berry was diagnosed with cancer in 2008. He died March 24, 2009.

With Dying For Profit, I continue photographing communities impacted by environmental injustices with a Holga camera while also recording their voice for audio. With my plastic toy camera and my Digital DSLR, I discover visual stories of people and communities that are being affected by toxic air pollution, polluted water sources, and contaminated soil.

Communities along the Gulf coast will complete this project. I’ve been in contact with some of the locals and they are all welcoming me with open arms. Dr. Riki Ott, Valdez Toxicologist said in an interview on October 27, 2010, “People are dropping dead now — I don’t think we’ll have to wait years to see the effects like we did in Alaska.” Ott said she is dealing with three autopsies right now. She continued, “I know two people who are down to 4.75 per cent of their lung capacity, their heart has enlarged to make up for that, and their esophagus is disintegrating, and one of them is a 16-year-old boy who went swimming in the Gulf.”1 Reports are indicating that that the Pensacola Bay is toxic, so toxic they had to dilute the testing sample 20 times before they could get a reading.2 The BP Oil Spill is not over. The people are telling me it is everywhere. What is going to happen to the people, the migrating birds, the sea life, and the ecosystems in the aftermath . Are the people and wildlife going to survive? Are they going to stay? Will the migrating birds return? These are some of the questions that I will answer in the Aftermath of the largest oil spill in the world. It is my goal that by shining a light onto their pollution problems, real change will occur, and we ALL can live in a healthy and clean environment where we live, work, and play.

Executive Producer/Photographer BiographyTammy Cromer-Campbell is a photographer, author, and filmmaker. She was innovative in using the Holga toy camera to create her first book, Fruit of the Orchard / Environmental Justice in East Texas, The book was published in 2006 by The University of North Texas Press. Cromer-Campbell has received many honors and awards, including Blue Earth Alliances first ever cash grant for Fruit of the Orchard. Her work is included in public and private collections internationally such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Museet for Fotocunst, Belgium, and others. Most recently, Fruit of the Orchard is a part of the Holga Inspire website and exhibition that has traveled to Bangkok, Thailand, Longview, Texas, and New York, New York. It also received a first place award under the category of Entertainment and Culture for the first ever Green Dot Awards. Cromer-Campbell is listed as an honoree for National Women's History Month for the 2009 theme: 100 Women Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet.Cromer-Campbell is a co-founder of WE CAN (Working Effectively for Clean Air Now). She is the only environmentalist on the North Texas Air Care policy committee. Cromer-Campbell recently formed the Go Green Task Force for Keep Longview Beautiful. Their mission is to lead Longview to overall improvement and sustainability of the environment through education, conservation, innovation, green economic practices, and good stewardship.Cromer-Campbell received her degree in Commercial Photography from Kilgore College, Kilgore, Texas under the direction of O. Rufus Lovett. She photographs from her studio/fine art gallery in Longview, TX.

SPONSORSHIPS & PLEDGESWe need your help to finish the film in a manner that does this unique story justice. You can make tax deductible donations, ear marking this project through Blue Earth Alliance and Google checkout below or you can make a contribution through our shopping cart site and click on "Sponsorship".

With the funds received here or through Blue Earth Alliance would allow us to travel to the Gulf coast documenting stories of the people effected, the wildlife, ecosystems, and demonstrations regarding the largest environmental disaster in this country. We hope to raise enough so that we will be able to obtain music rights, promote the film effectively, and hold an adequate premiere. Furthermore, as filmmakers with high aspirations, we would use additional funding for festival submissions to reach an even larger audience.

Your support is incredibly important and vital to the best possible telling of this story. Every dollar counts and we can't thank you enough for anything you are willing to give.We hope you enjoyed the trailer and thank you so much for checking out our project.

We have a selection of limited edition photographs we are offering for your sponsorships or donations. Send us an email letting us know which images you would like. Click here to view images.

Pledge $10 or moreYou get the above plus a sustainability tip from Tammy Cromer-Campbell.

Pledge $25 or moreThe above plus the 10 minute DVD of Dying for Profit in Texas and on the Gulf Coast

Pledge $50 or moreThe above, plus a signed DVD copy of the 30 minute film and a signed limited edition movie poster. edition of 200

Pledge $100 or moreThe above plus credit line under sponsor on the film.

Pledge $250 or moreThe above plus a seat at a screening of a rough cut of the film with the opportunity to provide feedback that we will take into consideration (transportation and lodging not included - city TBA).

Sunday, May 17, 2009

O. Rufus Lovett's Kilgore Rangerettes opened with a packed house on Thursday May 7, during Art Walk. The exhibit continues through June 26.

The first annual Green Dot Awards was held on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22 filled to cap

acity at the Smog Shoppe, a LEED Platinum urban event space in Los Angeles. Over 200 people attended the event from local Los Angeles "green" trendsetters and entrepreneurs to the international Green Dot Award winners themselves from Africa, Italy, Turkey, London, Ireland, Brazil, and Texas !

We are including information about upcoming photographic opportunities for the first time in the ne

wsletter. Let us know what you think.

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Kilgore Rangerettes photographs by O. Rufus Lovett

Kilgore Rangerettes, photographs by O. Rufus Lovett continues through June 26. The Rangerettes were the world's first precision dance drill team. Founded

in Kilgore, Texas, in 1939-1940 by the incomparable Gussie Nell Davis, the

Rangerettes have performed for national and international audiences, appearing frequently at events such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and major football bowl games across the nation, including the New Year's C

Wow ! What an amazing Earth Day evening.The party was held at the echo friendly Smog Shoppe in Los Angeles. It gets its power from solar panels, it captures it's rain water, and they use led lights. The exterior walls are covered with verticalgardens and the event was a very near zero waste event.

The ceremony was hosted by Boise Thomas of "Alter Eco" on Discovery Channel's Planet Green. 'It was an honor to be a part of this evening celebrating the achievements of the green business community. Acknowledging people who don't seek any credit nor want to be recognized. They just want to make a difference. The innovation, forward thinking and practical solutions of genius business people coupled with a commitment to leaving this planet better than the way we got it made hosting this event my pleasure. I wish all of the first year winners much

success and other than planting a tree, picking up trash or working toward cleaner water for all... it was

the perfect way to conclude Earth Day 2009."

Here are some of the winners. Be sure and visit Green Dot Awards and look at them all.

They are truly amazing.

The Kent Railway Station, Dublin, Ireland, designed by Iarnrod Eireann won 1st Place under Transportation. The Kent

Railway Station is the worlds first Net Carbon Zero Railway station.

Products: The Firewinder Company out of Malmesbury, United Kingdom won 1st place for their Firewinder, Original Windlight, designed by Tom Lawton. Firewinder is a 100% wind-powered, decorative outdoor light.

2nd Place for product goes to Solar Lillie, designed by ZM Architecture, Glasgow, United Kingdom. Solar Lilies project proposes to stimulate river activity and change by proposing that the surface is used to harness the power of solar energy on a large scale. The design is inspired by nature.

Transportation gave 1st place the Bond inspired Volitan. The Volitan is a new lightweight and futuristic concept boat for circumnavigating the rivers

and seas, using solid sails and only wind power and solar energy.

Concept award went to the CAMS Group of the United States for Sweet Sorghum Ethanol and Power (SSEP). It's the largest biofuel project in all of Africa on 500,000 acres. The highlights are 1. Sweet Sorghum produces more energy and takes far less water than sugar cane or corn. 2. Sweet Sorghum is a sturdy crop that grows on marginal lands and requires little water or fertilizer. It lifts poor farmers out of poverty. 3. Sweet Sorghum is both food and fuel, hence circumvents the "food for fuel" debate.

Entertainment and Culture: 1st place went to TCC for Fruit of the Orchard | Environmental Justice in East Texas :)

In 1982, a toxic waste facility opened in the Piney Woods in Winona,Texas. The residents were told that the company would plant fruit trees on the land left over from its ostensible salt-water injection well. Soon after the plant opened, however, residents started noticing huge reddish brown clouds rising from the facility and an increase in rates of cancer and birth defects in both humans and animals. The company dismissed their concerns, and confusion about what chemicals it accepted made investigations difficult. Buy a signed copy of the book click here.

2nd place went to H20- new scenarios for survival. H20 has its goal, the study, the promotion, the organization of exhibits, seminars, workshop, publications and whatever else gives value and stimulates the collective effort to look after water.

3rd Place Comedy Central ATM, Freestyle Collective designed and produced a series of spots for Comedy Centrals pro-social campaign. Their goal was to inform and motivate their audience to address specific local and global environmental issues.

The Green Dot Awards of Excellence were given to Stephan McGuire with the Visionary Award for his work producing the 11th Hour and his work as founder of Coalition for a Sustainable Africa. Founders of Opportunity Green, Karen Solomon and Mike Flynn, received the Award of Excellence for Community + Policy. The Green Magazine of the Year was awarded to National Geographic's Green Guide.

"Receiving a Green Dot Award (GDA) is very rewarding and uplifting for the work that I do. Environmental injustice is a tough issue to focus on. This year alone, between February and March, three of my subjects have died, from three different communities, and two had brain tumors. The GDA gives me the courage and optimism to continue documenting environmental injustice, while hopefully inspiring real change."

En Foco is a non-profit organization that nurtures and supports contemporary fine art and documentary photographers of diverse cultures, primarily U.S. residents of Latino, African and Asian heritage, and Native Peoples of the Americas and the Pacific.

En Foco's New Works Photography Awards Fellowship is an annual program selecting three or more U.S. photographers of Latino, African and Asian heritage, and Native Peoples of the Americas and the Pacific.

Three photographers will be selected from an open and national call for entries, to receive a $1,000 honorarium, photo-related supplies, technical assistance, a photographer's page on enfoco.org, an article in Nueva Luz, an En Foco Membership and a culminating group exhibition in New York City in the Spring-Summer of 2010.

This En Foco program offers one-on-one reviews with several arts professionals on the same day, in a supportive, nurturing and affordable environment. Reviewers can advise about opportunities and/or provide guidance on career development.

Each review session lasts for 20 minutes; photographers are guaranteed a minimum of three reviews and receive a 'gift bag.' Upon registration, participants will receive an article written by photo marketing expert Mary Virginia Swanson, on how to best prepare themselves for the Review.

How can you contribute to the diversification of SPE's 2010 national conference in Philadelphia?submit a proposal to present your work/researchrecruit a photo friend to join SPEforward this email to 3 of your peersapply to present a "how to" demonstration encourage your students/classmates to submit a scholarship application this fallnominate your mentor for the 2010 honored educator awardassemble a group of friends and apply to a panel presentationThe June 1 deadline for national conference proposals is fast approaching. Please share this call for proposals with your colleagues and students and help shape the 2010 conference in Philadelphia!

47th SPE National Conference March 4 - 7, 2010 Philadelphia, PA

Facing Diversity: Leveling the Playing Field in the Photographic Arts

Submit your proposal materials online this year!

First, check out the 2010 conference description. Keep in mind, submissions outside the scope of the theme are also welcome.

Next, review the guidelines for what you'll need to submit:2010 Call for Proposals

When you're ready to submit, visit: spenational.slideroom.com

Deadline: June 1, 2009

Presentation Formats

Lecture - presentation on historical topic, theory or another artist's work

Imagemaker - presentation on your own artistic work

Panel - a group led by a moderator to discuss a chosen topic

Demonstration - a "how-to" presentation

Graduate Student - short presentation of your own artistic work and a brief introduction to your graduate program (must be enrolled in graduate program at time of submission)

Academic Practicum Workshop - lectures (one presenter, one time slot) and panels (more than one presenter, two time slots) that address educational issues

TPS 18: The National Competion will be juried by Cig Harvey, MFA, a passionate working fine-art photographer and educator. She is a full time Associate Professor at The Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University and teaches summer workshops at The Maine Media Workshops and The Santa Fe Workshops. Complete details on how to enter the exhibition will be posted on the TPS website by April 30. Entries are due June 15. The show will open at the Kirchman Gallery in Johnson City, Texas in September.

Childhood: An International Photo Exhibition, juried by Jamie Lee Curtis

We are very pleased to announce Childhood: An International Photo Exhibition, juried by Jamie Lee Curtis, author, photographer, photography collector and movie star. Entry deadline will be October 2, with the show opening in January at the Dougherty Art Center in Austin. Complete entry details will be posted on the TPS website by August 1.

International Student Photography Exhibition - IIWe are also pleased to annouce an International Student Photograhy Exhibtion that will open at Semmes Art Gallery at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio on January 21, 2010 and be exhibited through February 19, 2010. Entries are due October 28, 2009. Complete entry details will be posted on the TPS website by August 15.